The Siskiyou County Farm Bureau recently held its Annual Dinner at the Yreka High School gymnasium, drawing a capacity crowd for an evening centered around the theme of “giving thanks for the food on our table, the clothes on our backs, and the farmers who make it all possible.”
Farm Bureau President Ryan Walker opened the festivities with a welcome address and introduced the evening’s activities. Mario Burch led attendees in the flag salute, and Mark Klever delivered the dinner invocation. The meal, catered by Hot Lips Catering & Reese Gomes, featured perfectly seasoned meal and smoked beef that earned high praise from attendees.
Special Address
Congressional Representative Doug LaMalfa addressed the gathering, discussing several challenges facing local agricultural producers. “When you get down to what is right and wrong,” LaMalfa said, “should not have an emergency drought declaration for an area that is flooding.” He highlighted the paradox of drought water restrictions despite winter flooding conditions experienced throughout the region.
LaMalfa also spoke passionately about the increasing pressure that wolf populations are placing on local ranching operations. “Wolves ravaging through northern California counties, it’s a man-made problem,” LaMalfa stated. “We have plenty of grey wolves in Minnesota, Canada and upper midwest.” He emphasized the need to reconsider California’s approach to Grey wolf reestablishment in the region, suggesting that the current policy fails to account for the impact on agricultural producers.
Following the congressman’s remarks, Jim Morris presented scholarship awards, a centerpiece of the evening’s festivities. The scholarships represent a cornerstone of the Farm Bureau’s commitment to supporting the next generation of agricultural leaders who will pursue agriculture-related studies after high school. This year, four outstanding students received scholarships: Jake Burton, Peyton Wood, Kyle Fowle, and Dylan Hanna. Each recipient has demonstrated exceptional dedication to agriculture and plans to further their education in this vital field. After the scholarship presentations, the live auction commenced.
Dessert Auction Highlights
The dessert auction featured an impressive array of homemade treats donated by community members:
- Multiple varieties of cream pies, including lemon, butterscotch, and pecan, many crafted by Michelle Rush
- Specialty cakes including a 20-layer peanut butter chocolate cake donated by Heritage Insurance
- Traditional favorites like blackberry pie from Mary Ann Hanna and cream puffs from Clifford Munson
- Dutch oven cobblers prepared by Mark Klever
- Cheesecakes including lemon blueberry and white chocolate raspberry
Silent Auction Success
The silent auction featured an impressive 61 items donated by businesses and individuals throughout Siskiyou County and beyond. Contributions ranged from agricultural supplies to handcrafted goods:
- Agricultural items including a beef box certificate from Crown H Cattle Co. and gift certificates from J.W. Kerns
- Handcrafted items such as a quilt from Sharon Larivee and a shooting bench crafted by Charlie Martin
- Local experiences including gift certificates for Lake Shasta Caverns and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival
- Gift baskets from Mt. Shasta Title & Escrow, Casa Ramos, and others
- Restaurant certificates from establishments including Denny’s Bar, 5 Marys, and Natalee Thai Cuisine
The event underscored the strong community support for Siskiyou County’s agricultural community while raising funds for the Farm Bureau’s ongoing work in advocacy, education, and support for local farmers and ranchers.
The recent Siskiyou County Farm Bureau Annual Dinner featured an impressive array of donated items for both the dessert auction and silent auction. This comprehensive list showcases the tremendous community support that makes this annual event possible.
Dessert Auction
The dessert auction highlighted the baking talents of many local community members who generously donated their creations:
- Blackberry Pie – Donated by Mary Ann Hanna
- Cream Puffs – Donated by Clifford Munson
- Strawberry Dream Cake – Donated by Raleys for Buyers’ Breakfast
- Chocolate Caramel Turtle – Donated by Raleys for Buyers’ Breakfast
- Cinnamon Rolls – Donated by Caroline Luis
- Old Fashion German Chocolate Cake – Donated by Robin Farnam
- Cream Puffs – Donated by Cliff Munson for the Jr. Fair Board
- Pecan Pie – Donated by Jim Hendricks, made by Michelle Rush
- Old Fashion Butterscotch Cream Pie – Donated by Michelle Rush
- Pecan Pie – Donated by Jim Hendricks, made by Michelle Rush
- Lemon Cream Pie – Donated by Jim Hendricks, made by Michelle Rush
- White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake – Donated by Shea Burch
- Dutch Oven Blackberry Cobbler – Donated by Mark Klever
- Dutch Oven Apple Crisp Cobbler – Donated by Mark Klever
- Lemon Bars – Donated by Shea Burch
- Strawberry Pie – Donated by Jim Morris
- Lemon Cream Pie – Donated by Jim Hendricks, made by Michelle Rush
- 20 Layer Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake – Donated by Heritage Insurance
- Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake – Donated by Ryan & Jen Walker, made by Stacy Jackson
- Fresh Strawberry Cake – Donated by Shelly Suetta
- Pecan Pie – Donated by Jim Hendricks, made by Michelle Rush
Silent Auction Items
The silent auction featured 61 diverse items generously donated by local businesses, organizations, and community members:
- Garden Gift Box – Larivee Farms honey gift box and flower arrangement
- Crocheted Fancy Horse – Donated by Lorrayne Hurlbut
- Five Gallon Bucket of Oil – Donated by Costa Santos Ranch
- Handcrafted Cutting Board – Donated by Tim Lloyd
- Whiskey Gift Basket – Donated by Dennys Bar, including rye whiskey, glasses, and $50 gift card
- Fashion Accessories – Donated by Miner’s Street Mercantile, including purse and necklace
- Lake Shasta Caverns Family Pass – Value $136
- Western Gear Package – Donated by Karin Newton, including saddle blanket and Case pocket knife, and Lindsey Hayden (Salty’s Shop), $120 value
- Decorative Bird House – Donated by Siskiyou Rustics
- Reading & Treats Package – 2 bags of candy donated by Jason Singleton and “What Lies Beneath CA Pioneer Cemeteries & Graveyards” book donated by Gail Jenner
- Handmade Quilt – Donated by Sharon Larivee
- Garden Package – Blackberry bushes from Sharon Larivee and digging fork & garden spade from Terry’s Nursery
- Ultimate Car Care Package – $75 gift certificate from Premier Oil Change and Auto Zone car care items
- Premier Oil Change Gift Certificate – $75 value
- Gun Target Shooting Bench – Crafted and donated by Charlie Martin
- Outdoor Gear Package – Donated by Valley Tire & Tackle, including Havlon Knife and roll pack
- J.W. Kerns Gift Certificate – $150 store credit
- Off-Road Lights Package – Donated by O’Reilly Auto, including off-road design lights with wiring harness and Bud Light gift basket
- Beef Box Certificate – $150 value, donated by Crown H Cattle Co. (Regina Hanna)
- Foldable Garden Cart with Ice Chest – Donated by Heritage Insurance
- Bird Feeder Package – Donated by TC Ranch, including bird feeder, seed, and basket
- Wine Country Experience – Donated by Alpen Cellars (Leah Groves), including one night at their glamping tents and wine, $105 value
- Oregon Shakespeare Festival Tickets – Two tickets, $150 value
- Two Ton Trolley Jack Kit – Donated by Scott Valley Auto (Evercraft)
- Plant Package – Donated by Greg & Dona Farnam, including iron plant holder and hanging plant, $110 value
- Squirrelinator – Donated by Ft. Jones Lumber
- Coffee and Cookbook Package – Donated by Stacy Jackson and Larivee Farms, including coffee combo basket and Celebration cookbooks
- Lona Mae’s Gift Certificate – $200 value, donated by Cheryl Foster
- Harvest Print – Donated by Marble Rim Gallery
- Rustic Home Decor – Donated by Wild Wind Rustics (Pat Snider), including vase made from 100-year-old cedar fence post, and cutting board by Chris Cummings
- Rockside Ranch Gift Certificates – Two $20 gift certificates to the Bakery and the Butcher Shop
- “The M Bar” Book – Donated by Range Magazine
- “The Long Trail Home” Book – Donated by Range Magazine
- Farm Mat – Donated by Pape Machinery
- DeWalt Heavy Duty Hose – Donated by Coastal, 100′ x 5/8″ with brass two-way shut off
- John Deere Tractor & Baler Model – Donated by Pape Machinery
- Natural Pine Fire Starters Basket – Donated by Erica Sweet, $50 value
- Gift Certificate and Basket – Donated by Monet Allen, $100 value
- Butte Valley Welcome Sign – Donated by Butte Valley
- Welcome Sign – Donated by Butte Valley FFA
- Welcome Sign – Donated by Butte Valley FFA
- Natalee Thai Cuisine Gift Certificate – $50 value
- Decorative Gourd Package – Donated by Joan French, including Sunflower Gourd & Strings Certificate
- Frog Gourd and Gift Certificate – Donated by Joan French, including $10 Nature’s Kitchen Gift Certificate
- Cookbook and Candy Package – “Sourdough Biscuits & Pioneer Pies” by Gail Jenner and 2 bags of candy from Jason Singleton, $40 value
- Casa Ramos Gift Basket – Donated by Casa Ramos
- Jenner Family Beef Gift Certificate – $150 value
- Mt. Shasta Title & Escrow Gift Basket – Including items from 5 Marys, Mt. Shasta Title, and a $100 gift certificate from Denny Bar Co.
- Mt. Shasta Title & Escrow Gift Basket – Including items from 5 Marys, Mt. Shasta Title, and a $100 gift certificate from 5 Marys’ Restaurant
- Mt. Shasta Title & Escrow Gift Basket – Including items from 5 Marys, Mt. Shasta Title, and a $100 gift certificate from Dennys Bar Co.
- Outfitters Gift Basket – Donated by Butte Creek Outfitters & Pimentel Ranch
- Scott Valley Barn Print – Donated by Marble Rim Gallery, artwork by L.S. Matews
- Etna Farmers’ Market Print – Donated by Marble Rim Gallery, artwork by Croa Brownell
- Fence Post Puller – Donated by Jasper Boudo (Etna Ag)
- Stanley Tumbler – Donated by Ft. Jones Hardware
- Coat & Hat Rack – Crafted and donated by Etna FFA student Collin Jenner
- Oak Earrings – Crafted and donated by Etna FFA student Timber Koopman
- Oak Earrings – Crafted and donated by Etna FFA student Timber Koopman
- Oak Earrings – Crafted and donated by Etna FFA student Timber Koopman
- Potatoes – Donated by Cal Ore Produce
- Bud Light Gift Basket – Donated by Bud Light
The range and quality of items donated for both auctions reflect the tremendous community support for the Siskiyou County Farm Bureau and its mission to advocate for local agriculture. Every donor, big and small, contributes to the success of this annual event that celebrates and supports the agricultural heritage of Siskiyou County.
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